The Nicene Creed

Westminster Seminary California
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  • CHRISTIANITY

On the 1700th anniversary of its original form,  we celebrate and proclaim the faithful truths summarized in the Nicene Creed. We affirm its Scriptural foundation, doctrinal fidelity, disciple making, and God glorifying usefulness to Christ's church.  Every week, as part of the Fall Faculty Series, Westminster Seminary California features a special guest to pay tribute and discuss the Nicene Creed.

Episodes

  1. 12/05/2025

    Baptized and Looking Forward to the Resurrection

    Dr. Estelle explores the final lines of the Nicene Creed, demonstrating how our baptism points to the definitive reality of justification by faith. By distinguishing between a judgment of justice and a judgment of mercy, he provides a robust defense of why Christians can face the end of the age with confidence.

    18 min

  2. 11/21/2025

    One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church

    In this sermon on the attributes of the church, Dr. Kim Riddlebarger examines the Nicene confession of the "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church."  Dr. Riddlebarger distinguishes the Reformed understanding of these attributes from Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox models, emphasizing that these characteristics are not merely descriptive, but also exhortational and eschatological.  He explores the church’s unity as a spiritual reality rather than a papal institution, its holiness as an objective status in Christ, its catholicity as the universal body of the elect across time, and its apostolicity as a foundation of doctrine rather than a succession of persons. Drawing on Herman Bavinck, Louis Berkhof, and the Reformed confessions, this episode concludes with an exposition of 1 Corinthians 1:1–2, demonstrating how Paul affirms all four attributes as both a present gift and a calling for believers.

    21 min

  3. 11/07/2025

    To Your Advantage

    Dr. Craig Troxel, Robert G. den Dulk Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary California, examines John 16:4-7 and the Nicene Creed's doctrine that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son. In this devotion, Dr. Troxel addresses Jesus's teaching that His departure would be advantageous for the disciples. Dr. Troxel explains that Christ's ascension was necessary for the Holy Spirit to come—the two events are inseparably connected. The Spirit is both the proof and prize of Christ's completed messianic work, and it is the ascended Christ who sends the Spirit to His church at Pentecost. This demonstrates the creedal truth that the Spirit proceeds not only from the Father but also from the Son.

    18 min

  4. 10/31/2025

    Lord and Life-Giver

    In this sermon on the third article of the Nicene Creed, Dr. Michael Horton examines the Holy Spirit as "the Lord and giver of life." Dr. Horton traces the Spirit's work through three stages: creation, redemption, and consummation, focusing on the recurring biblical image of the Spirit "brooding" or "hovering" over waters to bring forth life. He connects the Spirit's movement over the formless deep in Genesis 1:2 to the Spirit's overshadowing of Mary's womb and the Spirit's work in regenerating and sanctifying believers today. Drawing on patristic sources, Calvin, and Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem "God's Grandeur," this episode develops the theme that all of God's works flow "from the Father in the Son by the Spirit," with the Spirit consistently completing and perfecting what the Father speaks and the Son mediates.

    26 min

  5. 10/24/2025

    He Will Come Again

    Dr. Godfrey focuses on the closing line of the Christological section: "he shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead." Dr. Godfrey underscores that the work of Jesus is not finished, pointing out that approximately one in every thirteen New Testament verses addresses His second coming.

    17 min

  6. 10/18/2025

    Ascended and Filling All Things

    Dr. Jason Barrie expounds the Nicene Creed’s confession: "he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father." Dr. Barrie centers on the glorious transition from Christ’s humiliation to His present, active reign, declaring how the ascension fundamentally changes everything for the believer. Listen in!

    20 min

  7. 10/11/2025

    Resurrection and New Creation

    Dr. Brad Bitner explores the Nicene Creed’s concise, yet profound, confession: "The third day he rose again according to the scriptures." The episode traces this precise language back to the earliest apostolic witness in 1 Corinthians 15, establishing the undeniable historicity of Christ’s bodily resurrection and its fulfillment of manifold Old Testament prophecies. Tune in to rest in the glorious assurance that because Christ rose, He has left every one of your sins forever buried in the depths of the grave.

    23 min

  8. 10/04/2025

    Crucified, Suffered, and Buried

    Dr. Joshua Van Ee expounds on the Nicene Creed's confession of Christ’s sacrificial work: "crucified for us, suffered, and was buried." This week's  episode notes that this section, though brief, confirms the ancient and central message handed down from the apostles themselves. Dr. Van Ee clarifies that the Son of God was crucified "on our behalf" (hupair) and "under Pontius Pilate" to underscore both the substitutionary nature and the grim historicity of His judicial death. The core of the discussion asserts the necessity of the cross through the doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement, highlighting Christ’s perfect payment of the just penalty for our sins. Dr. Van Ee further unpacks the biblical concept of "ransom," revealed in the Old Testament. This sacrifice of the eternal Son of God was a costly work, establishing full reconciliation and peace between God and sinners. Join us to contemplate the certainty of the cross, find assurance in the completeness of Christ’s finished work, and rest in the freedom from condemnation.

    24 min

  9. 09/27/2025

    The Incarnation in the Nicene Creed

    Join Dr. David VanDrunen as he leads a detailed exposition of the Incarnation section of the Nicene Creed, highlighting the phrase "Who for us men and for our salvation." Dr. Van Drunen explains that Christ's coming "down from heaven" signifies His act of humiliation, voluntarily moving from divine glory to the suffering and service of a man on Earth, fulfilling prophecies like Philippians 2. The discussion focuses on the miraculous, sovereign act of the Holy Spirit, which enabled Christ's conception and signals the breaking-in of the new creation into our present age. Most crucially, Dr. VanDrunen explains the theological necessity of the Son being "made man," assuming our entire human nature—body, soul, and affections—because "what was not assumed could not be saved." This perfect likeness provides immense comfort, as we have a great High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses and temptations. Tune in to deepen your appreciation for the foundational doctrine that secures our eternal salvation.

    23 min

  10. 09/20/2025

    Begotten Not Made

    Today we do a deep-dive into the core of Christology as Dr. Jason Pickard continues the series on the Nicene Creed, focusing on the phrase: "begotten, not made." Drawing from John 1, Dr. Pickard unpacks the doctrine of the Son's "eternal generation," explaining that Christ's relationship to the Father is not one of a creature, but of God himself. Dr. Pickard also spends time refuteing the Arian heresy. In the end, the episode grounds the Son’s mission—His work in the Incarnation—in His eternal procession from the Father. Join us as we contemplate these mysteries.

    19 min

  11. 09/13/2025

    The Nicene Creed - Introduction

    Dr. R. Scott Clark begins our study of the Nicene Creed. In this episode, we focus on the crucial first article: "I believe in one God, the Father Almighty." Dr. Clark provides essential context, explaining the historical urgency that led the church to convene the Council of Nicaea in AD 325 to formally counter the Arian heresy. He explains how Arius's rationalist and "biblicist" approach led him to deny the eternal divinity of the Son and how the creed affirms the Son is "consubstantial" with the Father. Clark connects ancient theological debates to modern ones. He concludes by reminding us of our comfort in a sovereign God, emphasizing that the Almighty Father remains in perfect control over all things, even amidst the most troubling world events. Tune in to deepen your confessional knowledge and strengthen your faith in the God who reigns.

    21 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

On the 1700th anniversary of its original form,  we celebrate and proclaim the faithful truths summarized in the Nicene Creed. We affirm its Scriptural foundation, doctrinal fidelity, disciple making, and God glorifying usefulness to Christ's church.  Every week, as part of the Fall Faculty Series, Westminster Seminary California features a special guest to pay tribute and discuss the Nicene Creed.

Information

  • Creator
    Westminster Seminary California
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Westminster Seminary California
  • Show Website
    The Nicene Creed